Order an Electricity Provider in Germany (+€35 Bonus)
If you don't sublet from someone but rent an apartment on your name, you likely need make a contract with an electricity provider. This supplier will bill you on the electricity that you use for/from:
- lights
- power sockets
- stove & oven (if electric)
- water heating (if electric)
(All your other energy consumption, especially for heating will be part of your *Warmmiete* (warm rent), which you pay to your landlord and which is billed by them).
Questions & Answers
When do I need an electricity provider?
- If you rent an apartment or house directly from a landlord.
You usually don't need an electricity contract
- when you sublet an apartment or room (from another person).
- when you rent your apartment / room with an "all inclusive" contract like via Airbnb or similar.
If in doubt, ask your landlord.
How to order an electricity supplier?
- Find out whether your warm water is heated by
- your own electricity,
- or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)
- Given this information, estimate your consumption (see the table below).
- Know your postal code (Use Google maps to find it.)
- Compare providers or pick a provider from the list below. Key factors to look at:
- Grundpreis (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
- Arbeitspreis (consumption price): what you pay per kWh used
- bonuses: are often available for new customers (but some are only paid out after a year, so be careful to check also cancellation policies)
How will I get billed for my electricity use?
- Based on your consumption estimation, your electricity provider will calculate a monthly prepayment rate for you. Pay that rate now every month.
- After a year (usually), they measure your actual consumption.
- If you used less than your estimation, you will get money back and your monthly prepayment rate will be lowered.
- If you used more than your estimation, you will need to pay the difference and your monthly prepayment rate will be raised.
Average & Ideal Consumption Rates
To estimate your electricity consumption, you can go by average consumptions per year of German households, as shown in the table below. Additionally, ideal consumptions are shown (if savings potentials are used). [1]
| Household size | Average, with electric water heating | Average, without electric water heating | Ideal (minimised) consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1500 kWh | 2100 kWh | 800-1300 kWh |
| 2 person | 2500 kWh | 3400 kWh | 1300-2100 kWh |
| 3 person | 3500 kWh | 4400 kWh | 1700-2600 kWh |
| 4 person | 4250 kWh | 5500 kWh | 1900-2900 kWh |
Find an Electricity Provider
List of Electricity Providers
- ostrom[2] – English-speaking, (short) monthly contracts, allows prepayment adjustments at any time.
- €35 discount when using referral code XPATWIKI35
- eprimo[2]
- lekker[2]
- LEW[2]
- Vattenfall[2]
Compare Electricity Providers
Instead of comparing offers yourself, you can use a comparison service. Enter your postal code & estimated consumption, and get a list of offers.
More guides
- Cheapest German Electricity Providers by BerlinCheap.com
- How do electric bills work in Germany? by AllAboutBerlin.com
- Set up a contract with an electricity supplier Germany settle-in-berlin.com
- Comparison of Best German Electricity Providers by movingto-berlin.com
- Review of green electricity companies by goodlifegermany.com
Notes